Apple Adds 120Hz Scrolling for Some Sites in Latest Safari Technology Preview Release [Updated]

Apple today released a new update for Safari Technology Preview, the experimental browser Apple first introduced in March 2016, and today's update adds 120Hz Safari scrolling on displays that support 120Hz refresh rates.

The addition of 120Hz scrolling partially addresses a Safari issue that new MacBook Pro owners have been complaining about since the update was released. As many MacRumors readers have noticed, the current version of Safari appears to be limited to a 60Hz refresh rate despite the fact that the new machines support refresh rates up to 120Hz. 'Updated smooth scroll animations to run at 120Hz on 120Hz displays,' reads Apple's release notes for the update.

There have been multiple complaints about Safari's stuttering, janky scrolling on the 120Hz MacBook Pro models due to its frame rate limitations, which Apple appears to be addressing in the ‌Safari Technology Preview‌ update.

Apple designed the ‌Safari Technology Preview‌ to test features that may be introduced into future release versions of Safari, so after the 120Hz refresh rate update has been thoroughly tested with this browser, we should see it come to the main Safari release.

The ‌Safari Technology Preview‌ update is available through the Software Update mechanism in System Preferences to anyone who has downloaded the browser. Full release notes for the update are available on the Safari Technology Preview website.

Apple's aim with ‌Safari Technology Preview‌ is to gather feedback from developers and users on its browser development process. ‌Safari Technology Preview‌ can run side-by-side with the existing Safari browser and while designed for developers, it does not require a developer account to download.

Update: Many MacRumors readers have reported not seeing 120Hz scrolling after updating to ‌Safari Technology Preview‌ 135. Apple's specific wording mentions 'updated smooth scroll animations' and it appears the 120Hz scrolling may be limited to sites with the 'Smooth Scroll' CSS effect enabled.

Unfortunately it doesn't work for general scrolling. Per release notes 120Hz only applies for "Smooth Scroll" CSS effect (https://t.co/olqEizVt7I). Just verified this.— Moshen Chan (@paranoidroid) November 15, 2021 Tag: SafariThis article, "Apple Adds 120Hz Scrolling for Some Sites in Latest Safari Technology Preview Release [Updated]" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums